Box Score

ERIE, Pa. – No. 17 ranked Mercyhurst University men's soccer team won its first ever Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship on Sunday afternoon.  Sophomore defensemen Ryan Lund scored in the 83rd minute to bring his team to a 1-0 victory over Slippery Rock University. 
 
The Lakers now have the honors of being regular season champions as well as Conference tournament Champions.  The last time a team had won both titles in the same year was Shippensburg in 2010.
 
The Lakers were outshot 13 to 11 throughout the entire match, while corners were tied at one.  Over the course of the first half, the game remained scoreless.  Mercyhurst had two shots on goal to Slippery Rock's one, but the majority of play swayed to Slippery Rock. 
 
In the second half,  Slippery Rock defensemen Joshua Gray made a tremendous save at the 64:42 mark, when Mercyhurst sophomore Dane Rimko had a wide open net.  Rimko got his shot off a rebound, but it was Gray who was there to make one of many game-changing saves in the second.
 
Mercyhurst almost found its break when it was awarded a penalty kick at the 66:32 mark of the match.  Senior Austin Solomon was brought down in the top corner of the box, and freshmen Sten Marcson stepped up to take the kick.  Slippery Rock goaltender Clayton Master rose to the occasion, stopping Marcson's penalty kick that was headed towards the bottom right corner of the net. 
 
The Lakers were given a free kick later in the half and Rimko took the direct kick, sending it about five yards out from the net.  Lund took a diving header towards the ball, which found its way past Master and into the back of the net. The goal came with less than seven minutes left in regulation.
 
Lund scored his third goal of the season and his first game-winner to help his team to a conference Championship. 
 
Senior goaltender Diego Gustin recorded his ninth shutout this season, making three saves against The Rock.  Despite making five saves Master finished 10-4-6 in his senior season.
 
Mercyhurst senior Alex Manea was named the MVP of the PSAC Championship tournament, announced after the match Sunday.  Manea scored a hat trick against Millersville University on Saturday, leading his team to a 3-2 victory and advancing it into the Championship match.  He had six shots on goal in yesterday's match and two against Slippery Rock.
 
The Lakers now await the NCAA selection show scheduled Monday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m.  Mercyhurst, 14-5-1, hopes to get a bid to the NCAA tournament. 

Tournament Page